Derek Barnett, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Cameron Sutton earn first team defensive nods
Aug. 25, 2016
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Eight Tennessee representatives have been selected to the 2016 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Football Team, as announced Thursday by the league office. The eight Vols cover nine selections over the first, second and third teams.
Thursday’s announcement marks the 14th consecutive year that SEC Coaches Preseason All-SEC Teams have been formulated. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players when selecting their preseason all-conference teams.
Four members of Team 120 landed on the first team, headlined by the selection of defensive end Derek Barnett, linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, and defensive back Cameron Sutton to the first team defense. Evan Berry, who led the nation in kick return yards a season ago, also earned a first-team nod on special teams. Second team picks included quarterback Joshua Dobbs and tailback Jalen Hurd. Rounding out the list for Tennessee were offensive lineman Jashon Robertson and punter Trevor Daniel, who both garnered third-team mention. Sutton also saw his name on the third-team listing, this time as a punt returner.
The preseason honors from the league’s coaches are the second for Barnett, Dobbs, and Sutton, each of whom appeared on the Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team prior to the start of the 2015 season. Barnett and Sutton were second-team selections while Dobbs was named to the third team.
Tennessee returns 17 starters — second-most among Power Five teams — from a squad that went 9-4 last season and picked up a dominating 45-6 win over No. 13 Northwestern in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Vols will begin the season ranked ninth and 10th in the preseason AP Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll, respectively — their highest preseason ranking since coming in at No. 3 in both polls entering the 2005 season.
Tennessee opens the 2016 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 with a matchup against Appalachian State at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network with Brent Musberger, Jesse Palmer, and Laura Rutledge calling the action.